Sean's Melbourne Guidebook
Sightseeing
World class art gallery and museum. Featuring rotating exhibitions from all over the world including Picasso, Andy Warhol, KAWS, Dior and Chanel
1737 locals recommend
National Gallery of Victoria
180 St Kilda RdWorld class art gallery and museum. Featuring rotating exhibitions from all over the world including Picasso, Andy Warhol, KAWS, Dior and Chanel
One of Melbourne’s main heritage churches located in the golden triangle of tourist attractions
79 locals recommend
St Paul's Cathedral
Flinders StreetOne of Melbourne’s main heritage churches located in the golden triangle of tourist attractions
An outdoor square in the city that is host to various fairs and art installations throughout the year. It also has restaurants, bars and the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) - a gallery celebrating movies and television.
797 locals recommend
Federation Square
An outdoor square in the city that is host to various fairs and art installations throughout the year. It also has restaurants, bars and the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) - a gallery celebrating movies and television.
The historic and most recognisable train station in Melbourne. It’s situated in the golden triangle of tourist attractions along Flinders St
710 locals recommend
Flinders Street Railway Station
Flinders StreetThe historic and most recognisable train station in Melbourne. It’s situated in the golden triangle of tourist attractions along Flinders St
The waterfront area of Docklands is host to a range of restaurants as well as Sunday craft markets. Head down the Promenade and make a day of it at the nearby Docklands The District shopping center
172 locals recommend
Docklands
The waterfront area of Docklands is host to a range of restaurants as well as Sunday craft markets. Head down the Promenade and make a day of it at the nearby Docklands The District shopping center
The ever changing and famous graffiti Laneway of Melbourne. A great spot to take photos
245 locals recommend
Hosier Lane
7-9 Hosier LnThe ever changing and famous graffiti Laneway of Melbourne. A great spot to take photos
SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium
King StreetFamily friendly aquarium
Eureka Skydeck
7 Riverside QuaySee all of Melbourne from the observation deck
ArtVo
26 Star Cres3D trick museum. Fun for the whole family
The Crown Entertainment complex has everything not just a Casino - food (some of the best restaurants including Nobu, Rockpool and Bistro Guillame), luxury shopping (Louis Vuitton, Bulgari) and entertainment (Cinemas, Bowling, Karaoke)
615 locals recommend
Crown Melbourne
8 Whiteman StThe Crown Entertainment complex has everything not just a Casino - food (some of the best restaurants including Nobu, Rockpool and Bistro Guillame), luxury shopping (Louis Vuitton, Bulgari) and entertainment (Cinemas, Bowling, Karaoke)
In the Yarra Valley, one of the nicest wineries in the region making the local Chandon sparkling wine
69 locals recommend
Domaine Chandon Winery
727 Maroondah HwyIn the Yarra Valley, one of the nicest wineries in the region making the local Chandon sparkling wine
Learn about Melbourne’s early years and immigration making it a multicultural city
96 locals recommend
Immigration Museum
400 Flinders StLearn about Melbourne’s early years and immigration making it a multicultural city
Food scene
A Melbourne institution. Cakes, pastries and more are available at the cafe.
29 locals recommend
Brunetti Flinders Lane
250 Flinders LnA Melbourne institution. Cakes, pastries and more are available at the cafe.
One of Melbourne’s great premium dining options - a pan Asian fusion food feast
109 locals recommend
Supernormal
180 Flinders LnOne of Melbourne’s great premium dining options - a pan Asian fusion food feast
Hard to get a table in this small eatery but the hand made pastas are divine
84 locals recommend
Tipo 00
361 Little Bourke StHard to get a table in this small eatery but the hand made pastas are divine
An excellent Italian restaurant. When you can’t get into Tipo-00 across the street, come here. It’s well worthy to visit in its own right with traditional pizzas and pastas.
53 locals recommend
+39 Pizzeria
362 Little Bourke StAn excellent Italian restaurant. When you can’t get into Tipo-00 across the street, come here. It’s well worthy to visit in its own right with traditional pizzas and pastas.
Authentic Thai food that doesn’t hold back on the spice! It’s also a great cheap eat and serves towers of beer and live music.
11 locals recommend
Dodee Paidang Thai Bar and Cafe
353 Little Collins StAuthentic Thai food that doesn’t hold back on the spice! It’s also a great cheap eat and serves towers of beer and live music.
Premium dining Thai food. The depth of flavors and choices will leave you stuffed.
552 locals recommend
Chin Chin
125 Flinders LnPremium dining Thai food. The depth of flavors and choices will leave you stuffed.
Fine dining in the sky. Views across all of Melbourne in one of Melbourne’s top rated restaurants. Bookings are essential.
270 locals recommend
Vue de monde
525 Collins StFine dining in the sky. Views across all of Melbourne in one of Melbourne’s top rated restaurants. Bookings are essential.
Desserts out of a fairy tale. Just come here for the most amazing looking and creative desserts.
22 locals recommend
Om Nom Kitchen
187 Flinders LnDesserts out of a fairy tale. Just come here for the most amazing looking and creative desserts.
Degraves Street
Degraves StreetFamous Lane of cafes
Tian38
350 Flinders LaneModern Chinese food
DOOBOO
261 Swanston StGreat all round Korean restaurant featuring hearty stews, fried chicken and more.
HuTong
14-16 Market LnA local favorite for steaming hot dumplings and fluffy fried rice
A great cheap eat Chinese eatery with dumplings, noodles and rice dishes
15 locals recommend
Shanghai Street (Chinatown) 小籠館
148 Little Bourke StA great cheap eat Chinese eatery with dumplings, noodles and rice dishes
A Melbourne institution. Greek food is a large part of Melbourne culture and this is one of the flagship Greek restaurants in the city.
119 locals recommend
Stalactites Restaurant
183 Lonsdale StA Melbourne institution. Greek food is a large part of Melbourne culture and this is one of the flagship Greek restaurants in the city.
If you’re looking for a quick hot bowl of soup this is a great choice. Pick your own ingredients and soup base (or even stir fry). Traditional Chinese food in one bowl.
6 locals recommend
Dragon Hot Pot
213 Russell StIf you’re looking for a quick hot bowl of soup this is a great choice. Pick your own ingredients and soup base (or even stir fry). Traditional Chinese food in one bowl.
Fried chicken. It’s in their name - so you know it’s good. Korean style fried chicken and other dishes too
Buza Chicken
365 Queen StFried chicken. It’s in their name - so you know it’s good. Korean style fried chicken and other dishes too
Authentic Japanese pork bone broth Ramen. One of the best in Melbourne. Beware of long queues.
65 locals recommend
Hakata Gensuke Tonkotsu Ramen
168 Russell StAuthentic Japanese pork bone broth Ramen. One of the best in Melbourne. Beware of long queues.
SAINT DREUX
287 Lonsdale StreetTakeaway Japanese style sandwiches. Great for a quick bite
American style burger shack with custard shakes and fries
7 locals recommend
Betty's Burgers & Concrete Co
97 Elizabeth StAmerican style burger shack with custard shakes and fries
French influenced brunch cafe. One of Melbourne’s original and most famous
413 locals recommend
The Hardware Société Melbourne
10 Katherine PlFrench influenced brunch cafe. One of Melbourne’s original and most famous
Modern Australian brunch cafe. Try their famous Ricotta Hotcake - it tastes as good as it looks!
162 locals recommend
Higher Ground
650 Little Bourke StModern Australian brunch cafe. Try their famous Ricotta Hotcake - it tastes as good as it looks!
Chuckle Park Bar
322 Little Collins StCool lane way bar
Small bar in the middle of the Yarra river. Unbeatable location and views
163 locals recommend
Ponyfish Island
Small bar in the middle of the Yarra river. Unbeatable location and views
Caretaker's Cottage
139-141 Little Lonsdale StreetUnique small bar in the city. Rated as one of the World’s Top 100 bars.
Grain Store
517 Flinders LnLocal favorite brunch cafe
Shopping
The center of the city features the pedestrian shopping mall with major department stores David Jones and MYER along with international giants H&M and Zara
412 locals recommend
Bourke Street Mall
Bourke Street MallThe center of the city features the pedestrian shopping mall with major department stores David Jones and MYER along with international giants H&M and Zara
On Collins Street, you will find the best of luxury boutique shopping in the city. Affectionately known as the “Paris” end of Collins Street it features top European designers in historic buildings. Besides LV you will find the likes of Hermes, Gucci, Saint Laurent, Balenciaga, Burberry, Bally and more.
10 locals recommend
Louis Vuitton Melbourne Collins Street
139 Collins StOn Collins Street, you will find the best of luxury boutique shopping in the city. Affectionately known as the “Paris” end of Collins Street it features top European designers in historic buildings. Besides LV you will find the likes of Hermes, Gucci, Saint Laurent, Balenciaga, Burberry, Bally and more.
One of the largest shopping malls in Melbourne. It’s outside of the city but there are free shuttle buses to take you there directly from the city
275 locals recommend
Chadstone Shopping Centre
1341 Dandenong RoadOne of the largest shopping malls in Melbourne. It’s outside of the city but there are free shuttle buses to take you there directly from the city
Factory outlet shopping featuring designer brands, athletic brands and homewares.
583 locals recommend
DFO South Wharf
20 Convention Centre PlFactory outlet shopping featuring designer brands, athletic brands and homewares.
Waiting for the SkyBus or a train? Conveniently located above Southern Cross Station this shopping center has food and shopping to keep you occupied.
290 locals recommend
Spencer Outlet Centre
201 Spencer StWaiting for the SkyBus or a train? Conveniently located above Southern Cross Station this shopping center has food and shopping to keep you occupied.
Side Trips
Day trips or short getaway destinations
Coastal drive along the water, beautiful beaches and quaint small towns along the way
48 locals recommend
Great Ocean Road
Great Ocean RoadCoastal drive along the water, beautiful beaches and quaint small towns along the way
The heart of the Yarra Valley. A region of great local produce and wine. Make sure to go to several wineries and breweries
6 locals recommend
Coldstream
The heart of the Yarra Valley. A region of great local produce and wine. Make sure to go to several wineries and breweries
Phillip Island features some stunning coastal scenery and rock formations, but it’s main attraction are the penguins on parade at dusk.
189 locals recommend
Phillip Island
Phillip Island features some stunning coastal scenery and rock formations, but it’s main attraction are the penguins on parade at dusk.
City advice
Getting around
Trams in the city
All trams within the city and Docklands are FREE and no need to tap on your Myki if you’re traveling within the free zone.
Ways to save
Tap Water
Tap water in Melbourne is drinkable. It is also free in restaurants & cafes.
Book before you go
Restaurants
Melbourne has a strong food culture and the best restaurants are always busy. Bookings are recommended but some restaurants do take walk ins only. But be prepared to wait.
Customs and culture
Tipping
Tips are not mandatory but welcomed. You are free to tip in a restaurant if you receive good service but it is not a requirement.
Book before you go
Luggage Storage
Unfortunately, I cannot keep your luggage for you. There are some good options available if you need to store luggage before you arrive / after you leave. There are storage lockers available for rent in Southern Cross Station and also you can search online for a baggage service called Mind My Bag (find the nearest location to the apartment)